Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Completed Projects

Whole body vibration (WBV) is becoming a popular exercise modality to enhance muscle tone and physical performance. However, with all types of exercise oxidative stress occurs due to the enhanced damage causing oxygen free radicals; free radicals has been linked to advanced aging, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and cardiac disease. Training can neutralise free radicals via an internal antioxidant enzyme system and therefore reduce oxidative stress. In WBV the muscle activation rates are increased significantly higher than regular exercise modes, which increases the potential for free radical production and therefore more cellular damage. To compare the acute and chronic levels of oxidative stress and levels of antioxidant activity we recruited 20 young (untrained) women and randomly assigned them to either WBV; downhill running (-16%); or walking at 4.5km/hr for 20mins. Blood samples were collected pre-, immediately post-exercise, 24 hours post-exercise, and after 8 weeks of training 3 times per week. Biochemical analysis determined the level of muscle damage, oxidative stress via lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activity. Results show WBV cause oxidative stress slightly more than walking by significantly lower than running. Eight weeks of WBV training significantly increased the protective antioxidant system whereas walking did not.

Faulkner, JA., Westrupp, N., Rousseau, J., & Lark, SD. (2011). The effect of self-paced walking on psychological and performance markers in phase II and III cardiac rehabilitation patients with moderate to high levels of anxiety. Poster session presented at the meeting of Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Liverpool[Conference Poster]Authored by: Lark, S.

Hani Kopetschny
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Doctor of Philosophy
New method to study substrate utilisation during high intensity exercise, and exploring the limits to carbohydrate metabolism during intense exercise

Media and Links

Media

17 Feb 2013 - Newspaper
Interveiwed by Sunday Star Times
INterveiwed by Simon Plumb of the Sunday Star Times on "Strict rules needed to protect sport stars" which was in response to the scandal happening in Australia at the time of sports stars being advise

03 Mar 2014 - Magazine
Interviewed for NEXT women's magazine
I was interviewed for the NEXT magazine on Exercise Myths